Air conditioner cover with opening and closing feature

ABSTRACT

An air conditioner cover for an outside air conditioner is provided. The cover may include a shutter that has a plurality of slats. The shutter can have a side wall, and the slats may be pivotally mounted to the side wall. The slats can be capable of pivoting from a closed position to an open position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an air conditioner cover that can be opened during use and closed during non-use. More particularly, the present application involves an air conditioner cover for an air conditioner that has one or more shutters that open automatically when the air conditioner is turned on and that close automatically when the air conditioner turns off.

BACKGROUND

Air conditioning systems often employ an outside air conditioner that is located adjacent the structure that is being cooled. This outside air conditioner typically has a large wrap around coil that is used to effect heat transfer. The outside air conditioner may have a compressor and a condenser and a condenser cooling fan that turns on when the outside air conditioner is running. The condenser cooling fan functions to both draw air into the outside air conditioner and to exhaust air out of the outside air conditioner. Since the outside air conditioner is located in an outside environment, it is subjected to the elements such as wind, rain, sunlight, and debris. Further, salt laden air/salt laden mist may blow onto the outside air conditioner causing corrosion of components such as the large wrap around coil. This corrosion will quickly degrade the outside air conditioner and cause same to become inoperative. In certain environments, for example when located in a coastal area, salt laden air/mist may cause the outside air conditioner to become inoperative after a period of only five years.

Air conditioner covers are known that function to protect the outside air conditioner from debris. For example, one such cover includes sides that are made of a wire mesh material that is small enough to prevent leaves, twigs, and other debris from passing therethrough into the outside air conditioner. This air conditioner cover surrounds the outside air conditioner on all sides, expect of course for the bottom that rests on the ground or on a concrete slab. Although capable of preventing some debris from entering the outside air conditioner, such a cover is not capable of preventing other elements from damaging the outside air conditioner. As such, there remains room for improvement and variation within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, which makes reference to the appended Figs. in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner cover in a closed state in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an outside air conditioner.

FIG. 3A is a side view of the air conditioner cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B is a side view of the air conditioner cover of FIG. 3A in an open state.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the outside air conditioner of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5A is a top view of the air conditioner cover of FIG. 1 in a closed state.

FIG. 5B is a top view of the air conditioner cover of FIG. 5A in an open state.

FIG. 6A is a side view of a mechanical linkage and a shutter in a closed position in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6B is a side view of the mechanical linkage and shutter of FIG. 6A in an open position.

FIG. 7A is a side view of a linear solenoid actuator and shutter in a closed position in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7B is a side view of the linear solenoid actuator and shutter of FIG. 7A in an open position.

FIG. 8A is a back view of a shutter of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6A in a closed position.

FIG. 8B is a back view of the shutter of FIG. 8A in an open position.

FIG. 9A is a side view of a mechanical linkage and shutter in a closed position in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9B is a side view of the mechanical linkage and shutter of FIG. 9A in an open position.

FIG. 10A is a back view of the shutter of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9A in a closed position.

FIG. 10B is a back view of the shutter of FIG. 10A in the open position.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of an air conditioner cover in accordance with another exemplary embodiment in which the shutters open towards the outside air conditioner.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations.

It is to be understood that the ranges mentioned herein include all ranges located within the prescribed range. As such, all ranges mentioned herein include all sub-ranges included in the mentioned ranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 also includes ranges from 110-150, 170-190, and 153-162. Further, all limits mentioned herein include all other limits included in the mentioned limits. For instance, a limit of up to 7 also includes a limit of up to 5, up to 3, and up to 4.5.

The present invention provides for an air conditioner cover 10 that may be used to protect an outside air conditioner 30 from environmental elements such as wind having air that is salt laden. The air conditioner cover 10 provides a shield around all or a portion of the outside air conditioner 30 that prevents or reduces exposure to the salt laden air so that degradation of the outside air conditioner 30 from this condition is eliminated or reduced. When operation of the outside air conditioner 30 is desired, one or more shutters 12 of the air conditioner cover 10 can open to allow intake air to be transferred to the outside air conditioner 30 and to allow exhaust air from the air conditioner cover 10 to be vented. This allows the outside air conditioner 30 to have airflow as initially designed in order to function properly. After operation of the outside air conditioner 30, the shutters 12 may automatically close to once again afford environmental protection to the outside air conditioner 30. The opening and closing of the shutters 12 may be automatically performed such that user manipulation is not necessary. Further, although described as protecting the outside air conditioner 30 from salt laden air/salt mist, the air conditioner cover 10 may protect the outside air conditioner 30 from a variety of environmental hazards such as rain, snow, hail, leaves, debris, sun, and ice. Further, the air conditioner cover 10 may provide shading from sunlight so that the outside air conditioner 30 is not unnecessarily heated so that it will transfer heat more efficiently.

One exemplary embodiment of the air conditioner cover 10 is illustrated with reference to FIG. 1. Here, the air conditioner cover 10 is substantially cube shaped having four complete sides. The bottom and back sides are both open. However, it is to be understood that other arrangements are possible in which the back side insides a complete side and is not open, or includes a partial side so that the back side is partially open. Generally, outside air conditioners 30 include electrical wiring and coolant and air piping that extends towards the structure being cooled. The open nature of the back side accommodates these connections. The outside air conditioner 30 is typically located adjacent to the structure being cooled and thus the structure itself provides some shielding on this side. However, it is to be understood that the back side need not be open or partially open in other exemplary embodiments.

The air conditioner cover 10 includes a first shutter 12 on a first side, and a second shutter 42 on a top side. The first shutter 12 is mounted onto a first frame 28 that engages a similarly configured second frame 58 associated with the second shutter 42. The first shutter 12 is in a closed position 24, and the second shutter 42 is in a similar closed position 52. The closed positions 24 and 52 prevent or hinder the transfer of air through the shutters 12 and 42 thus preventing or reducing engagement of environmental air, that may be salt laden, with the interior of the air conditioner cover 10 that includes the outside air conditioner 30.

A third shutter 60 is located on a side of the air conditioner cover 10 and is mounted to a third frame 76 that engages both the first frame 28 and the second frame 58. The third shutter 60 is oriented into a closed position 72. An opposite side of the air conditioner cover 10 includes a fourth shutter 78 that is likewise oriented into a closed position 90. The fourth shutter 78 is mounted to a fourth frame 94 that engages both the first frame 28 and the second frame 58 but is not in contact with the third frame 76. The various frames may be connected to one another through welding, mechanical fasteners, or may be integrally formed with one another in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. Each of the frames 28, 58, 76 and 94 may be provided with predrilled holes that allow them to be easily assembled to one another by a user.

With reference now to FIG. 2, an outside air conditioner 30 is illustrated. The outside air conditioner 30 may be configured in a variety of manners and for purposes of the disclosed air conditioner cover 10 need only be a component of a heating or cooling unit. The outside air conditioner 30 may be a heat pump, or may include conventional components in a conventional air conditioner such as a compressor and a condenser. The outside air conditioner 30 includes a condenser cooling fan in certain arrangements, although the outside air conditioner 30 does not have a fan at all in other embodiments. As such, it is to be understood that the outside air conditioner 30 can be configured in a variety of manners in accordance with different exemplary embodiments and the outside air conditioner 30 need only be a portion of a system designed to heat or cool a structure. As disclosed, the outside air conditioner 30 may rest on a pair of blocks 118 that are subsequently located on top of ground 120. In other arrangements, a concrete slab may be located on the ground 120 and the outside air conditioner 30 may rest on the concrete slab. In yet other versions, the outside air conditioner 30 may rest directly on the ground 120.

The outside air conditioner 30 has a top 32 that extends generally in a horizontal direction 112. A first side 34, second side 36, and third side 38 extend downwards from the top 32 in a vertical direction 110. Although not visible in FIG. 2, a fourth side 40 is located opposite to the first side 34. The outside air conditioner 30 may have a generally cylindrical shape, or may have a generally rectangular shape, or may be irregular in shape in accordance with various arrangements. When cylindrical in shape, the sides 34, 36, 38 and 40 are curved portions. The air conditioner cover 10 can be installed onto the outside air conditioner 30 by first assembling the cover 10 and placing same over the outside air conditioner 30. The air conditioner cover 10 can be lowered until it engages the ground 120 or other item located on top of the ground 120 such as blocks 118 or a concrete slab. In other embodiments, the air conditioner cover 10 can be assembled in sections around the outside air conditioner 30 and such sections can be subsequently attached to one another to yield an enclosure around the outside air conditioner 30.

Once assembled and located around the outside air conditioner 30 as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the second shutter 42 is located adjacent the top 32 and extends in the horizontal direction 112. The second shutter 42 may be spaced from the top 32 so that some amount of empty space is located between these two components. Alternatively, the second shutter 42 may engage the top 32. The third shutter 60 is located adjacent the second side 36, and the fourth shutter 78 is located adjacent the third side 38 and both shutters 60 and 78 extend in the vertical direction 110. The third and fourth shutters 60 and 78 may be spaced from the sides 36 and 38 or may engage the sides 36 and 38. Also, the first shutter 12 is located adjacent the side 34 and extends in the vertical direction 110 and may be spaced from the side 34 or may engage the side 34 in various exemplary embodiments. The shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 are all oriented in closed positions 24, 54, 72 and 90 in FIG. 3A so that air cannot flow or is hindered from flowing through the shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78. In this configuration, the outside air conditioner 30 is hidden from view and is shielded by the air conditioner cover 10. It may be the case that one can see between edges of the slats or through other portions of the shutters but at least 95% of the view through the shutters overall may be blocked in the closed positions 24, 54, 72 and 90. Airflow through the shutters 24, 54, 72 and 90 is greatly prohibited in this configuration since the purpose of such is to reduce or eliminate airflow from the environment to the outside air conditioner 30 to prevent or retard it degradation. However, it is to be understood that some airflow through the shutters 24, 54, 72 and 90 may be possible in the closed positions as they may not be completely airtight but may function to still reduce or significantly reduce airflow.

Reorientation of the shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 into open positions 26, 56, 74, and 92 is illustrated with reference to FIG. 3B in which portions of the outside air conditioner 30 are visible and are not shielded by the air conditioner cover 10. The shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 move from the closed to open positions in a direction generally away from the outside air conditioner 30, however other embodiments are possible in which the shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 are generally closer to the outside air conditioner 30 when in the open positions 26, 56, 74, and 92 than when in the closed positions 24, 54, 72, and 90. The shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 may be placed into the open positions 26, 56, 74, and 92 when the outside air conditioner 30 is running. Running of the outside air conditioner 30 may occur when a fan of the outside air conditioner 30 is operational and/or when actual heat exchange is occurring between fluids being transferred through the outside air conditioner 30. Running or turning on of the outside air conditioner 30 may not be occurring when the unit is simply functioning to determine if heat exchange of fluids in the outside air conditioner 30 should occur, or if fans generating primary air flow for this function are not rotating. During operation, intake airflow 116 may flow through the shutters 12, 60 and 78 and into the interior of the air conditioner cover 10 and across coils or other components of the outside air conditioner 30. Exhaust airflow 114 may be vented from the outside air conditioner 30 through the top 32 and out through the second shutter 42. However, it is to be understood that the airflow pattern between the air conditioner cover 10 and the outside air conditioner 30 can be variously configured in accordance with other exemplary embodiments.

A top view of the outside air conditioner 30 is illustrated with reference to FIG. 4. The top 32 of the outside air conditioner 30 engages four sides 34, 36, 38 and 40. Connections 122 extend from the fourth side 40. The connections 122 may be electrical connections and/or fluid transfer connections that allow for cooling fluid and/or air and water to be transferred to and from the outside air conditioner 30. The outside air conditioner 30 may be positioned next to a structure, such as the structure that the outside air conditioner 30 functions to cool, such that the fourth side 40 is the closest side to the structure. The connections 122 may extend to the structure. The fourth side 40 may be uncovered by the air conditioner cover 10, or may be partially or fully covered by the air conditioner cover 10 in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. In the disclosed embodiment, the fourth side 40 is not covered at all by the air conditioner cover 10. However, it is to be understood that a shutter 12 or simply a non-adjustable wall may be used to fully or partially cover the fourth side 40. In this regard, the fourth side 40 may be fully covered such that the connections 122 extend through openings of the fourth side 40 that may be sealed.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show the air conditioner cover 10 located on the outside air conditioner 30. The shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 are in the closed positions 24, 54, 72, 90 in FIG. 5A in which the outside air conditioner 30 is turned off and not running and in which airflow is not transferred through the air conditioner cover 10. The shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 are in the open positions 26, 56, 74, and 92 in FIG. 5B and airflow is allowed to move through the open shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78. It is to be understood that if the back side of the air conditioner cover 10 is open that airflow will always be allowed to move into and out of the air conditioner cover 10 via the open back side. However, it is contemplated that the open back side will face a structure and may be located adjacent the structure and thus airflow through the open back side will be limited in this regard. Also, in other embodiments the back side may be permanently closed or can be partially closed, or can be fitted with a shutter 12 like the other sides.

Details of the second shutter 42 can be more easily seen with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. The second shutter 42 includes a series of slats 44 that are in pivotal engagement with a first side wall 46 and a second side wall 48 via pivots 50 and 52. The second shutter 42 is mounted on a second frame 58 that in turn engages the other frames of the air conditioner cover 10. The previously disclosed elements of the second shutter 42 may be configured in a manner similar to those of the first shutter 12 and a repeat of this information is not necessary.

Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 5A and 5B, the third shutter 60 is disclosed as having a number of slats 62 that are pivotally mounted to side walls 64 and 66 by pivots 68 and 70. The third shutter 60 is mounted to a third frame 76. Additionally, the fourth shutter 78 has a number of slats 80 that are in pivotal engagement with a first side wall 82 and a second side wall 84 via pivots 86 and 88. The fourth shutter 94 is mounted to a fourth frame 94. As with the second shutter 42, the elements of the third and fourth shutters 60 and 78 can be configured in a manner similar to that of the first shutter 12 and a repeat of this information is not necessary.

The possible mechanisms for opening and closing the shutters 12, 42, 60 and 78 will now be described in greater detail. Since the shutters 12, 42, 60 and 78 can be opened and closed in similar manners, reference will be made to the opening and closing of shutter 12. It is to be understood that the other shutters 42, 60 and 78 can be opened and closed in like manners and thus a repeat of this information is not necessary. Also, it is to be understood that the shutters 12, 42, 60 and 78 can be opened and closed in different manners so that one of the shutters 12, 42, 60 or 78 can be opened and closed in one manner and the other shutters 12, 42, 60 or 78 can be opened and closed in different manners.

With reference first back to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the shutter 12 includes a first side wall 16 and a second side wall 18 that extend in the vertical direction 110. The side walls 16 and 18 are fixed with respect to the frame 28 and the ground 120 such that they do not move. The side walls 16 and 18 may be parallel to one another. A plurality of slats 14 extend from the first side wall 16 to the second side wall 18. Although five slats 14 are present, any number of slats 14 can be employed in other exemplary embodiments. For example, from 1-10, from 10-20, from 20-30, or up to 100 slats 14 may be incorporated into the shutter 12 in accordance with other versions of the air conditioner cover 10. Each one of the slats 14 are pivotally attached to the first and second side walls 16 and 18 via pivots 20 and 22. As such, the slats 14 are each pivotally attached to the side walls 16 and 18 and can rotate with respect to the side walls 16 and 18 about the pivots 20 and 22. The shutter 14 can be mounted within a frame 28, or the frame 28 may be absent in other arrangements. The pivots 20 and 22 may be pins rigidly attached to the side walls 16 and 18 about which the slats 14 are mounted so as to rotate thereabout. Instead of a pair of pivots 20 and 22 one either end of the slat 14, a single pivot can extend all the way through the entire slat 14 from one side wall 16 to the other 18. Further, other arrangements of causing the slat 14 to be placed into pivotal engagement with the shutter 12 are possible and it is to be understood that the pivots 20 and/or 22 can be configured in a variety of different manners.

With respect to FIG. 6A, the slats 14 are in the closed position 24 in which they are aligned between the frame 28 on either end. The upper and lower portion of the shutter 12 can be thought of as the frame 28, or the upper and lower portion of the shutter 12 may have an upper and lower side wall that are subsequently mounted or otherwise incorporated into the frame 28. Regardless, these portions, whether the frame 28 or upper and lower side walls of the shutter 12, do not move. In FIGS. 6A and 6B they are shown as simply being the frame 28, although in FIGS. 3A and 3B they are shown as being upper and lower side walls of the shutter 12 that are subsequently mounted to the frame 28.

A mechanical linkage 96 links the five slats 14. The mechanical linkage 96 includes five slat engagement members 100 that are each pivotally mounted to a linking member 98 of the mechanical linkage 96. The slat engagement members 100 are attached to and can pivot with respect to the linking member 98. The slat engagement members 100 are rigidly attached to the slats 14 so that the slat engagement members 100 cannot move or pivot with respect to the slat 14 to which the particular slat engagement member 100 is attached. In FIG. 6A, the linking member 98 extends in the vertical direction 110 and the slats 14 are all aligned with one another in the vertical direction 110.

Since all of the slats 14 are in communication with one another through the mechanical linkage 96, movement of one of the slats 14 will result in a corresponding movement of the other four slats 14. The slats 14 are attached to the first and second side walls 16 and 18 via pivots 20 and 22, and pivots 22 are illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The pivots 20 and 22 may be pins or any other member or structure that allows a pivoting motion between two objects. In some embodiments only a single pivot 20 or 22 is present. The pivots 20 and 22 may extend through any portion of the slats 14. Although shown as only extending through a small portion of the slats 14, and probably not actually visible in FIGS. 6-8, the pivots 22 are still shown in FIGS. 6-8 for purposes of clarity. The slats 14 are thus able to pivot about pivot 22 so as to move relative to stationary frame 28.

FIG. 6A shows the slats 14 in the closed position 24, and FIG. 6B shows the slats 14 in the open position 26 such that airflow can more easily move through the shutter 12. Movement of one of the slats 14 about the pivot 22 will cause a corresponding movement of the other four slats 14 about their respective pivots 22 due to the attachment of mechanical linkage 96. The linking member 98 moves downward in the vertical direction 110 and to the right in the horizontal direction 112 upon movement from the closed position 24 to the open position 26. The slats 14 may pivot from 20°-40°, from 40°-45°, from 45°-80°, or up to 90° about the pivots 22 in accordance with various exemplary embodiments, and this may be their limit of pivoting travel about the pivots 22.

The mechanical linkage 96 may be located at the midpoint of the shutter 12 in the horizontal direction as more easily seen with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. In the closed position 24, the linking member 98 can be positioned so as to be located above the slats 14 in the vertical direction 110 and thus at the same vertical height as the upper portion of the frame 28 that is above the slats 14. Reconfiguration into the open position 26 causes the linking member 98 to be moved below the upper portion of the frame 28 in the vertical direction 110 so that the entire linking member 98 is located vertically within the vertical height of the slats 14. A linear solenoid actuator 102 is present and used in order to move the slats 14 to the closed 24 and/or open position 26. The linear solenoid actuator 102 and slat attachment member 104 are located in the horizontal direction 112 away from the mechanical linkage 96 and the linear solenoid actuator 102 can be rigidly mounted to the bottom portion of the frame 28.

The linear solenoid actuator 102 is actuated via an electrical signal, that may be for instance a 120 volt signal. Upon actuation, a plunger will move either towards or away from the frame of the linear solenoid actuator 102 that is rigidly attached to the frame 28. The linear solenoid actuator 102 can be configured in a variety of manners. For example, a second electrical signal can be sent so that the plunger moves in the opposite direction back to its initial position. In this instance, forward and backwards motion of the plunger can be realized via electrical signals. Alternatively, the linear solenoid actuator 102 can be made so that the plunger must be mechanically moved back to its start position at such time a second electrical signal will cause it to once again move in the same direction that the first one caused. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-8, the linear solenoid actuator 102 may be constructed so that its plunger moves back and forth via electrical signals.

Turning to FIG. 7A, the linear solenoid actuator 102 is shown having its frame rigidly attached to the frame 28. An electrical line 108 is in communication with the linear solenoid actuator 102 to provide an electrical signal to tell the linear solenoid actuator 102 to actuate. In other embodiments, a wireless signal can be used. The electrical line 108 can be hooked up to a start up switch of the outside air conditioner 30 so that once the outside air conditioner 30 starts up, the linear solenoid actuator 102 will actuate. Also, once the start up switch cuts off and the outside air conditioner 30 stops running, the linear solenoid actuator 102 will actuate in the reverse direction or will simply stop having actuation power supplied thereto. All of the linear solenoid actuators 102 in the air conditioner cover 10 may be in electrical communication with the outside air conditioner 30.

The plunger of the linear solenoid actuator 102 extends in the vertical direction 110 and is pivotally attached to a slat attachment member 104 that extends backwards from this attachment point in the vertical direction 110 and also in the horizontal direction 112 so as to have components in both of these directions 110 and 112. The slat attachment member 104 is pivotally attached to the slat 14 at a location spaced from the pivot 22 in the vertical direction 110. The slat 14 pivots about pivot 22 and is in the closed position 24 in which the end of the slat 14 is adjacent the edge of frame 28.

Actuation of the linear solenoid actuator 104 causes the plunger to move in the vertical direction 110 but not in the horizontal direction 112. This reconfiguration is shown in FIG. 7B. The plunger may move inside a portion of the frame of the linear solenoid actuator 104 in the disclosed embodiment, but need not move inside of the frame in other embodiments. This movement causes the slat attachment member 104 to pivot about the plunger and to likewise pivot about the slat 14. The designed arrangement causes the slat 14 to pivot about the pivot 22 into the open position 26 in which the end 23 of the slat 14 is moved away from the edge of the frame 28 in the horizontal direction 112. Increased airflow will thus be allowed to flow past the slat 14 when in the open position 26 due to this spacing. Actuation of the linear solenoid actuator 104 through another signal via the electrical line 108 causes the plunger to extend in the vertical direction 110 away from the frame of the linear solenoid actuator 104 such that the slat 14 is once again reconfigured back to the closed position 24 as illustrated in FIG. 7A. This arrangement allows the slat 14 to be opened and closed. Movement of the slat 14 will be imparted onto all of the other slats 14 in the shutter 12 due to the presence of the mechanical linkage 96 as previously described. In this manner, a single linear solenoid actuator 102 can be used to drive all of the slats 14 of the shutter 12 between the closed and open positions 24 and 26.

An alternative arrangement of opening and closing the slats 14 is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. Although all of the shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 may be opened and closed in a similar manner, for purposes of discussion it is only necessary to discuss the opening and closing of one of the shutters 12 as it is not necessary to repeat this information for shutters 42, 60 and 78 as their functioning will be identical. As shown in FIG. 10A, the shutter 12 is bolted to the frame 28 at various points around its perimeter. In this regard, the first side wall 16 and second side wall 18 are both bolted to the frame 28 along with top and bottom walls that extend between the side walls 16 and 18. In other arrangements, the various walls of the shutter 12 can be welded to the frame 28, attached through mechanical fasteners, or attached via other mechanisms to the frame 28. The shutter 12 may be provided with predrilled holes that allow it to be easily assembled to the frame 28. The back side of the shutter 12 has a mechanical linkage 96 located at approximately its midpoint in the horizontal direction 112. With reference now to both FIGS. 9A and 10A, the mechanical linkage 96 has a linking member 98 that extends in the vertical direction 110 and is beyond the upper end of the slats 14 in the vertical direction 110 so as to be located over the upper portion of the frame 28. This end of the linking member 98 is attached to a spring 106 that is in turn attached to a mounting on the frame 28. This mounting to frame 28 is rigidly attached to frame 28 and does not move with respect to frame 28. The spring 106 is biased so that it exerts a force on the linking member 98 to the right as shown in FIG. 9A or upwards as shown in FIG. 10A. This force is in the vertical direction 110 towards the mounting that extends from the frame 28 and thus away from the linear solenoid actuator 102.

An opposite end of the linking member 98 is attached to the plunger of the linear solenoid actuator 102 via a coupler. In other embodiments, the plunger of the linear solenoid actuator 102 may extend all the way to the spring 106 such that the plunger and the linking member 98 are one in the same. The linear solenoid actuator 102 has a frame that is rigidly attached to the frame 28. The shutter 12 is displayed in the closed position 24 in FIGS. 9A and 10A in which airflow is prevented or hindered therethrough. A series of slat engagement members 100 extend from the linking member 98 and are pivotally attached to the linking member 98 so that they can pivot thereabout. The opposite ends of the slat engagement members 100 are pivotally attached to the slats 14 at a distance spaced from the pivots 22 in the vertical direction 110. The pivots 22 may not be present in these figures in reality, but are shown for purpose of clarity. The slat engagement members 100 at their connection to the slats 14 are capable of pivoting about the slats 14. The slats 14 are arranged in sequence with one another in the vertical direction 110 so that they are aligned with one another into the closed position 24 and are located adjacent the frame 28 on either end.

The spring 106 pulls the linking member 98, slat engagement members 100, and slats 14 into the closed position 24. Also, the spring 106 exerts a force on the linear solenoid actuator 102 such that its plunger is pulled/extended away from its frame. When desired, a signal can be sent to the linear solenoid actuator 102 to cause it to actuate such that the plunger is pulled towards the frame. This reconfiguration is shown with reference to FIGS. 9B and 10B. The plunger is moved to the left in FIG. 9B and down in FIG. 10B and is in effect moved downwards in the vertical direction 110. The plunger may be retracted into the frame, or may remain completely outside of the frame in various arrangements. This movement causes the linking member 98 to be likewise moved in the vertical direction 110, but not in the horizontal direction 112, and the spring 106 to be extended in the vertical direction 110. The force of movement of the linear solenoid actuator 102 is strong enough to overcome the spring force of spring 106.

Movement of the linking member 98 causes a corresponding movement of the pivotally attached slat engagement members 100. The slat engagement members 100 move in both the vertical direction 110 and the horizontal direction 112 such that they extend farther in the horizontal direction 112 after movement from FIG. 9A to FIG. 9B. The slats 14 are pivotally constrained about pivots 22 such that pivots 22 do not move in the vertical or horizontal directions 110 and 112. The slats 14 pivot into the open position 26 in which greater airflow is allowed through the shutter 12. The disclosed arrangement thus allows the linear solenoid actuator 102 to be located at the midpoint of the shutter 12 in the horizontal direction 112 such that it engages the mechanical linkage 96 or is actually part of the mechanical linkage 96 in certain arrangements. Once the electrical signal is stopped, the linear solenoid actuator 102 will no longer apply force to draw the plunger towards the frame and thus away from the spring 106. Removal of this force causes the spring 106 to once again pull the plunger and the linking member 98 back into the closed position 24 illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 10A. The slat engagement members 100 and the slats 14 will likewise be pulled to the closed position 24. The disclosed arrangement thus allows the shutter 12 to be normally closed but opened upon actuation of the linear solenoid actuator 102 which need only be pulled in a single direction.

As can be more easily seen with reference back to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the shutters 12, 42, 60 and 78 when moving from the closed positions 24, 54, 72 and 90 to the open positions 26, 56, 74, and 92 move in a manner so that they are generally farther from the outside air conditioner 30. In other words, they move away from the outside air conditioner 30 upon opening. With reference now to FIGS. 9A and 9B, an end 23 of the slats 14 is shown as being the end of the terminal end of the slat 14 that is opposite to the end at which the pivot 22 is located proximate. End 23 is the portion of the slat 14 that moves the greatest distance upon opening of the slat 14. In FIGS. 9A and 9B, the outside air conditioner 30 is located closer to the linking member 98 than to the slats 14, and is in effect located above the mechanical linkage 96 in the drawings in the horizontal direction 112. As such, upon moving from the closed position 24 to the open position 26 the ends 23 of the slats 14 move away from the outside air conditioner 30 and away from the linking member 98.

With reference now to FIG. 11, a different embodiment is shown in which the ends 23 of the slats 14, 44, 62, and 80 move towards the outside air conditioner 30 upon moving from the closed positions 24, 54, 72 and 90 to the open positions 26, 56, 74, and 92. The various mechanical linkages 96 used to open and close the shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 may be located farther from the outside air conditioner 30 than the slats 14, 44, 62, and 80, or may be closer in various exemplary embodiments. The frames 28, 58, 76 and 94 along with shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 may be simply reversed from their positions shown in previous figures in order to achieve the design of FIG. 11. Further, additional covers or other panels may be employed to minimize exposure of the mechanical linkages 96 and linear solenoid actuators 102 from the elements without hampering airflow significantly or at all when the shutters 12, 42, 60 and 78 are opened.

Although all of the ends 23 are shown as moving towards the outside air conditioner 30, various arrangements exist in which some of the ends 23 of the various slats 14, 44, 62, and/or 80 may move towards the outside air conditioner 30 and in which some may move away from the outside air conditioner 30 when moving to the open positions 26, 56, 74, and 92. The air conditioner cover 10 may be sized and arranged so that the slats 14, 44, 62, and 80 do not engage the outside air conditioner 30 when opened, or so that some or all of them do in fact engage the outside air conditioner 30 when opened.

The slats 14, 44, 62 and 80 may be opened and closed in a variety of manners and it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments herein are only exemplary. For example, airflow generated by the outside air conditioner 30 alone may be sufficient to cause the shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 to move from the closed positions 24, 54, 72, and 90 to the open positions 26, 56, 74, and 92. Once the outside air conditioner 30 begins to run, its fan may push air upwards against the second shutter 42 which causes the second shutter 42 to open. Further, the fan of the outside air conditioner 30 may draw air in its sides thus causing an pressure to be exerted on shutters 12, 60, and 78 which causes these shutters 12, 16, and 78 to open in an inwards direction. All of the shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 will thus be in the open positions 26, 56, 74, and 92 and airflow will be possible into and out of the air conditioner cover 10. Once the fan of the outside air conditioner 30 shuts off, the shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 will pivot back into their closed positions 24, 54, 72, and 90 and airflow through the air conditioner cover 10 will cease. The shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 may be normally closed through either gravity, the use of springs, combinations of the two, or through other mechanisms. This normally closed force may be overcome simply by the airflow generated by the outside air conditioner 30.

In other exemplary embodiments, the mechanical linkages 96 may be used on some or all of the shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 to cause their opening and/or closing. Each one of the shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 may be fitted with its own individual mechanical linkage 96 and linear solenoid actuator 102. In other embodiments, a single linear solenoid actuator 102 can be used which is in communication with various mechanical linkages 96 such that actuation of the single linear solenoid actuator 102 causes opening or closing of two, three, four or more (if any) of the shutters 12, 42, 60 and 78. As such, various embodiments exist in which fewer than the same number of linear solenoid actuators 102 and shutters are present. Also, in other embodiments, some of the shutters 12, 42, 60 and 78 can be opened via airflow while other shutters 12, 42, 60 and 78 are opened via a mechanical linkage 96 and linear solenoid actuator 102 and/or other arrangement.

As disclosed, the back of the air conditioner cover 10 is open in order to allow the connections 122 to be channeled to and away from the outside air conditioner, and because this side of the air conditioner cover 10 will be located adjacent a structure which will thus naturally act as a shield to salt laden air or mist exposure. However, it is to be understood that other arrangements are possible in which shutters that open and close in manners similar to those previously discussed are in fact present on this side of the air conditioner cover 10. This shutter may have fewer slats than shutters on other sides of the air conditioner cover 10, or may have the same amount. Also, these slats may open and close in manners similar to those previously discussed.

Various elements of the air conditioner cover 10 can be made of materials that are non-corrosive so that the cover 10 does not degrade in a humid or salt air laden environment. For example, the slats, side walls, and frames may be made out of fiber glass, plastic, or other non-corrosive material. The mounting screws and/or bolts of the air conditioner cover 10 can be made of stainless steel. However, it is to be understood that various elements of the air conditioner cover 10 may in fact be made of a corrosive material in certain exemplary embodiments. In such arrangements, although the air conditioner cover 10 may corrode, it will still function to protect and extend the life of the outside air conditioner 30. The air conditioner cover 10 may be made in a variety of colors and can be variously sized. The air conditioner cover 10 may be capable of fitting onto outside air conditioners 30 having cube, rectangular, or cylindrical shapes. The air conditioner cover 10 can be provided to the user in a kit form so that he or she can assemble it himself or herself. In this regard, the various portions such as the frames and shutters can be assembled and attached to one another during installation.

The air conditioner cover 10 functions to shield the outside air conditioner 30 either completely or partially from salt laden air and/or salt laden mist when the outside air conditioner 30 is not running hence increasing the life of the outside air conditioner 30 by delaying or preventing degradation of components such as a wrap around coil. The air conditioner cover 10 may automatically open when the outside air conditioner 30 runs so that proper air flow is maintained to and from the outside air conditioner 30 to ensure its correct functioning. Although salt laden air and/or mist may enter at these times, the life of the outside air conditioner 30 will still be extended because the unit will not be exposed to salt laden air and/or mist when its not running and hence, usually, the majority of the time it will be covered. When the outside air conditioner 30 stops running, the air conditioner cover 10 will revert back to its closed state automatically so that the outside air conditioner 30 is once again protected from the elements. Therefore, it is the case that salt laden air/mist will in fact contact the outside air conditioner 30 even when the air conditioner cover 10 is installed due to the open shutters 12, 42, 60 and/or 78.

While the present invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the subject matter encompassed by way of the present invention is not to be limited to those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended for the subject matter of the invention to include all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

1. An air conditioner cover, comprising: a shutter that has a plurality of slats, wherein the shutter has a side wall and wherein the slats are pivotally mounted to the side wall, wherein the slats are capable of pivoting from a closed position to an open position.
 2. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 1, wherein the shutter has a second side wall, and wherein the slats extend from the side wall to the second side wall and are pivotally mounted to the second side wall, wherein when the slats are in the closed position the shutter is closed and wherein when the slats are in the open position the shutter is open to allow greater airflow therethrough as opposed to when the shutter is closed.
 3. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 2, further comprising: a frame that is attached to the shutter, wherein the frame and the shutter are located adjacent a side of an outside air conditioner; a second shutter that has a plurality of slats capable of pivoting from a closed position to an open position, wherein the second shutter has a first side wall and a second side wall and wherein the slats of the second shutter extend between and are pivotally mounted to the first and second side walls of the second shutter, wherein when the slats of the second shutter are in the closed position the second shutter is closed and wherein when the slats of the second shutter are in the open position the second shutter is open to allow greater airflow therethrough as opposed to when the second shutter is closed; and a second frame that is attached to the second shutter, wherein the second frame and the second shutter are located adjacent a top of the outside air conditioner.
 4. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 3, further comprising: a third shutter that has a plurality of slats capable of pivoting from a closed position to an open position, wherein the third shutter has a first side wall and a second side wall and wherein the slats of the third shutter extend between and are pivotally mounted to the first and second side walls of the third shutter, wherein when the slats of the third shutter are in the closed position the third shutter is closed and wherein when the slats of the third shutter are in the open position the third shutter is open to allow greater airflow therethrough as opposed to when the third shutter is closed; a third frame that is attached to the third shutter, wherein the third frame and the third shutter are located adjacent a second side of the outside air conditioner; a fourth shutter that has a plurality of slats capable of pivoting from a closed position to an open position, wherein the fourth shutter has a first side wall and a second side wall and wherein the slats of the fourth shutter extend between and are pivotally mounted to the first and second side walls of the fourth shutter, wherein when the slats of the fourth shutter are in the closed position the fourth shutter is closed and wherein when the slats of the fourth shutter are in the open position the fourth shutter is open to allow greater airflow therethrough as opposed to when the fourth shutter is closed; and a fourth frame that is attached to the fourth shutter, wherein the fourth frame and the fourth shutter are located adjacent a third side of the outside air conditioner; wherein the frame contacts the second frame, the third frame, and the fourth frame, and wherein the second frame contacts the third frame and the fourth frame, and wherein the third frame and the fourth frame do not contact one another.
 5. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an outside air conditioner, wherein when the outside air conditioner turns on to cause heat transfer the slats pivot from the closed position to the open position and remain in the open position while the outside air conditioner continues to run, and wherein when the outside air conditioner turns off the slats pivot from the open position back to the closed position.
 6. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 5, wherein the slats are pivoted from the closed position to the open position via airflow generated by the outside air conditioner when the outside air conditioner turns on.
 7. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 5, further comprising: a mechanical linkage that is attached to all of the slats; and a linear solenoid actuator that is attached to at least one of the slats, wherein the linear solenoid actuator is capable of being actuated in order to cause the at least one attached slat to pivot with respect to the side wall, and wherein pivoting of the at least one attached slat causes the mechanical linkage to move such that the slats attached to the mechanical linkage also pivot with respect to the side wall.
 8. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 5, further comprising: a linear solenoid actuator; a mechanical linkage attached to the linear solenoid actuator such that movement of the linear solenoid actuator causes the mechanical linkage to move in a linear direction, wherein the mechanical linkage is attached to each of the slats such that movement of the mechanical linkage in the linear direction causes the attached slats to pivot with respect to the side wall; and a spring attached to the mechanical linkage, wherein the spring urges the mechanical linkage in the linear direction so as to urge the slats into the closed position.
 9. The air conditioner as set forth in claim 8, wherein the linear solenoid actuator receives an electrical signal from the outside air conditioner to cause the linear solenoid actuator to actuate and to deactivate.
 10. The air conditioner as set forth in claim 5, wherein ends of the slats opposite from pivotally mounted connections of the slats are located farther from the outside air conditioner when the slats are in the open position than when the slats are in the closed position, and wherein the slats are made of a non-corrosive material.
 11. An air conditioner cover, comprising: a shutter that has a plurality of slats, wherein the shutter is oriented vertically so as to extend adjacent to a side of an outside air conditioner, wherein the slats are located in an open position when the outside air conditioner is running, and wherein the slats are located in a closed position when the outside air conditioner is not running.
 12. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 11, wherein the shutter has a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the slats extend between the first and second side walls and are pivotally mounted to the first and second side walls, wherein the slats pivot between the open position and the closed position, wherein when the slats are in the open position greater airflow is capable through the shutter than when the slats are in the closed position.
 13. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 11, further comprising: a frame that is attached to the shutter; a second shutter that has a plurality of slats, wherein the slats of the second shutter are located in an open position when the outside air conditioner is running, and wherein the slats of the second shutter are located in a closed position when the outside air conditioner is not running; a second frame that is attached to the second shutter, wherein the second frame and the second shutter are oriented horizontally so as be located above and extend adjacent a top of the outside air conditioner, wherein the first frame engages the second frame.
 14. The air conditioner as set forth in claim 13, further comprising: a third shutter that has a plurality of slats, wherein the slats of the third shutter are located in an open position when the outside air conditioner is running, wherein the slats of the third shutter are located in a closed position when the outside air conditioner is not running; a third frame that is attached to the third shutter, wherein the third frame and the third shutter are oriented vertically so as to extend adjacent to a second side of an outside air conditioner, wherein the third frame engages the first and second frames; a fourth shutter that has a plurality of slats, wherein the slats of the fourth shutter are located in an open position when the outside air conditioner is running, wherein the slats of the fourth shutter are located in a closed position when the outside air conditioner is not running; a fourth frame that is attached to the fourth shutter, wherein the fourth frame and the fourth shutter are oriented vertically so as to extend adjacent to a third side of an outside air conditioner, wherein the fourth frame engages the first and second frames and does not engage the third frame.
 15. The air conditioner as set forth in claim 11, wherein the slats are moved between the closed position and the open position via airflow generated by the outside air conditioner when the outside air conditioner is running.
 16. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 11, further comprising: a mechanical linkage that is attached to all of the slats; and a linear solenoid actuator that is attached to at least one of the slats, wherein the linear solenoid actuator is capable of being actuated in order to cause the at least one attached slat to change from the closed position to the open position, and wherein movement of the at least one attached slat causes the mechanical linkage to move such that the slats attached to the mechanical linkage also move from the closed position to the open position.
 17. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 11, further comprising: a linear solenoid actuator; a mechanical linkage attached to the linear solenoid actuator such that movement of the linear solenoid actuator causes the mechanical linkage to move in a linear direction, wherein the mechanical linkage is attached to each of the slats such that movement of the mechanical linkage in the linear direction causes the attached slats to pivot; and a spring attached to the mechanical linkage, wherein the spring urges the mechanical linkage in the linear direction so as to urge the slats into the closed position.
 18. The air conditioner as set forth in claim 17, wherein the linear solenoid actuator receives an electrical signal from the outside air conditioner to cause the linear solenoid actuator to actuate.
 19. An air conditioner cover, comprising: a shutter that has a plurality of slats, wherein the shutter is oriented horizontally so as be located above and extend adjacent a top of an outside air conditioner, wherein the slats are located in an open position when the outside air conditioner is running so that exhaust air from the outside air conditioner can flow through the shutter, and wherein the slats are located in a closed position when the outside air conditioner is not running so that airflow through the shutter to the outside air conditioner is hindered.
 20. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 19, further comprising: a linear solenoid actuator; a mechanical linkage attached to the linear solenoid actuator such that movement of the linear solenoid actuator causes the mechanical linkage to move in a linear direction, wherein the mechanical linkage is attached to each of the slats such that movement of the mechanical linkage in the linear direction causes the attached slats to pivot; and a spring attached to the mechanical linkage, wherein the spring urges the mechanical linkage in the linear direction so as to urge the slats into the closed position; wherein the linear solenoid actuator receives an electrical signal from the outside air conditioner to cause the linear solenoid actuator to actuate. 